Fitness and travel pouch

ABSTRACT

An apparatus maintaining a position of an item is disclosed which includes a pouch, a flap, a magnet attracting material, and a magnetic member. The pouch includes a first panel coupled to a second panel along a periphery of the first panel and the second panel with a portion of the panels uncoupled to form an opening. The flap is positionable in an engagement position wherein the flap is positioned parallel to the second panel with the second panel disposed between the flap and the first panel. The magnet attracting material is coupled to one of the second panel and the flap with the magnetic member coupled to the other of the second panel and the flap. The magnetic member has a magnetic field sufficient to attract the magnet attracting material when one or more pieces of material are positioned between the second panel and the flap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/109,789, filed May 17, 2011, and entitled Apparatus for Maintaining a Position of an Item, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/345,489, filed May 17, 2010. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/540,455, filed Sep. 24, 2015, and entitled Fitness and Travel Pouch, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/535,346, filed Aug. 5, 2015, and entitled Fitness and Travel Pouch. Each of the foregoing patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to a receptacle positionable on a garment or article of clothing or on a purse, bag or other item carrying device to provide a receptacle for holding items to provide a user storage and easy access to items contained within the receptacle and more particularly relates to a removable receptacle positionable on such articles of clothing or item carrying devices.

2. The Relevant Technology

Clothing for outdoor sports, such as hiking, jogging and running, is typically designed to facilitate comfort and free movement during exercise. In order to accommodate the goal of a lightweight article of clothing, manufacturers of such apparel typically forgo any unnecessary components such as pockets. For example, running shorts typically include an outer shell that makes up the running shorts body and may or may not include an inner lining that acts as underwear so that the user does not have to wear underwear with the running shorts.

The outer shell of the running shorts typically does not include pockets, thus, the runner has no way of carrying anything within the running shorts. On longer runs, the runner may wish to carry a wallet, driver's license, money, credit cards, or other items that may be of use during the run. However, given the typical design of running shorts described above, carrying such items may be inconvenient as the runner must find another method of holding these items.

Item carrying devices such as purses or bags typically include a large compartment for holding various items. When a user positions smaller items within the large compartment these smaller items may be difficult to subsequently locate. Occasionally the large compartment may be subdivided into smaller compartments to help the user organize items within the purse or other bag. Typically these smaller compartments are affixed to the larger compartment and are thus not removable from the purse or other bag. In some instances, a user may position a separate wallet within the larger compartment to keep smaller items in a centralized location. However, with larger purses or other bags, the separate wallet may be difficult to locate once other items are positioned within the larger compartment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus for maintaining a position of an item on an article of clothing or on an item carrying device. Beneficially, such an apparatus would be quickly and easily removable from the article of clothing or from the item carry device.

The present subject matter has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available item positioning devices. Accordingly, the present subject matter has been developed to provide an apparatus for maintaining a position of an item that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.

The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a pouch, a flap, a magnet attracting material, and a magnetic member. The pouch includes a first panel coupled to a second panel along a periphery of the first panel and the second panel. At least a portion of the periphery of the first panel and the second panel is uncoupled to form an opening in the pouch. The flap is coupled to the second panel of the pouch and is positionable between an engagement position and a disengagement position. In the engagement position the flap is positioned parallel to the second panel with the second panel disposed between the flap and the first panel. The magnet attracting material is coupled to one of the second panel and the flap with the magnetic member coupled to the other of the second panel and the flap such that the magnetic member is positioned parallel to the magnet attracting material when the flap is positioned in the engagement position. The magnetic member has a magnetic field sufficient to attract the magnet attracting material to retain the flap in the engagement position when one or more pieces of material are positioned between the second panel and the flap.

In one embodiment, a portion of the flap forms a loop between the flap and the second panel when the flap is positioned in the engagement position. The loop supports the pouch with one or more pieces of material positioned between the second panel and the flap. In certain embodiments, at least one of the second panel and the flap include a slip resistant material that prevents movement of one or more pieces of material positioned between the second panel and the flap.

The magnet attracting material, in certain embodiments, includes a material selected from a ferromagnetic material, a ferrimagnetic material, and a paramagnetic material. In one embodiment, the magnetic member includes a material selected from a ferromagnetic material, a ferrimagnetic material, and a paramagnetic material. In a further embodiment, the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member both comprise a ferromagnetic material having a magnetic field sufficient to support the pouch when one or more pieces of material are positioned between the second panel and the flap.

In one embodiment, at least one of the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member has a length sufficient to span a portion of a distance between a first edge of the pouch and a second edge of the pouch. In such an embodiment, the distance spanned by the at least one of the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member may be sufficient to provide structural support to at least one of the pouch and the flap to maintain the pouch in a substantially planar orientation.

In a further embodiment, the magnetic member includes at least two magnetic members coupled to at least one of the second panel and the flap. In such an embodiment, a support member is positioned to support the at least two magnetic members. The support member may have a length sufficient to span a portion of a distance between a first edge of the pouch and a second edge of the pouch. The distance spanned by the support member may be sufficient to provide structural support to at least one of the pouch and the flap to maintain the pouch in a substantially planar orientation.

In another embodiment, the magnet attracting material includes at least two pieces of magnet attracting material coupled to at least one of the second panel and the flap. In such an embodiment, a support member may be positioned to support the at least two pieces of magnet attracting material. The support member, in one embodiment, has a length sufficient to span a portion of a distance between a first edge of the pouch and a second edge of the pouch. The distance spanned by the support member may be sufficient to provide structural support to at least one of the pouch and the flap to maintain the pouch in a substantially planar orientation.

In one embodiment, an apparatus to maintain a position of an item is presented which includes a pouch, a flap, a magnetic attracting material, and a magnetic member. The pouch, in certain embodiments, includes a first panel coupled to a second panel along a periphery of the first panel and the second panel. In such an embodiment, at least a portion of the periphery of the first panel and the second panel is uncoupled to form an opening in the pouch.

The flap, in one embodiment, is coupled to the second panel of the pouch. The flap is positionable between an engagement position and a disengagement position. In the engagement position the flap is positioned parallel to the second panel with the second panel disposed between the flap and the first panel.

In certain embodiment, the magnet attracting material is coupled to one of the second panel and the flap and the magnetic member is coupled to the other of the second panel and the flap such that the magnetic member is position parallel to the magnet attracting material when the flap is positioned in the engagement position. In one embodiment, the magnetic member has a magnetic field sufficient to attract the magnet attracting material to retain the flap in the engagement position when one or more pieces of material are positioned between the second panel and the flap.

In one embodiment, a portion of the flap forms a loop between the flap and the second panel when the flap is positioned in the engagement position. The loop supports the pouch with one or more pieces of material positioned between second panel and the flap. In a further embodiment, at least one of the second panel and the flap includes a slip resistant material that prevents movement of one or more pieces of material positioned between the second panel and the flap.

The magnetic attracting material, in one embodiment, includes a material selected from a ferromagnetic material, a ferrimagnetic material, and a paramagnetic material. In another embodiment, the magnetic member also includes a material selected from a ferromagnetic material, a ferrimagnetic material, and a paramagnetic material. In yet another embodiment, the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member both include a ferromagnetic material having a magnetic field sufficient to support the pouch when one or more pieces of material are positioned between the second panel and the flap.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member has a length sufficient to span a portion of a distance between a first edge of the pouch and a second edge of the pouch. In such an embodiment, the distance spanned by the at least one of the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member is sufficient to provide structural support to at least one of the pouch and the flap to maintain the pouch in a substantially planar orientation.

An embodiment of an apparatus for maintaining a position of an item is also disclosed which includes a pouch, a flap, a magnet attracting material, and a magnetic member. In such an embodiment, the pouch includes a first panel coupled to a second panel along a periphery of the first panel and the second panel. At least a portion of the periphery of the first panel and the second panel is uncoupled to form an opening in the pouch. The flap is coupled to the second panel of the pouch. The flap is positionable between an engagement position and a disengagement position. In one embodiment, the flap is positioned parallel to the second panel with the second panel disposed between the flap and the first panel when the flap is positioned in the engagement position.

The magnet attracting material is coupled to one of the second panel and the flap. The magnet attracting material includes a material selected from a ferromagnetic material, a ferrimagnetic material, and a paramagnetic material. The magnetic member is coupled to the other of the second panel and the flap such that the magnetic member is position parallel to the magnet attracting material when the flap is positioned in the engagement position. The magnetic member has a magnetic field sufficient to attract the magnet attracting material to retain the flap in the engagement position when one or more pieces of material are positioned between the second panel and the flap. In one embodiment, the magnetic member includes a material selected from a ferromagnetic material, a ferrimagnetic material, and a paramagnetic material.

In certain embodiments, a portion of the flap forms a loop between the flap and the second panel when the flap is positioned in the engagement position. The loop supports the pouch with one or more pieces of material positioned between second panel and the flap.

In a further embodiment, at least one of the second panel and the flap comprises a slip resistant material that prevents movement of one or more pieces of material positioned between the second panel and the flap.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present subject matter should be or are in any single embodiment. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present subject matter. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the subject matter may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments.

These features and advantages of the present subject matter will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus for maintaining a position of an item in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating one embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view further illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus for maintaining a position of an item in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a rear view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus for maintaining a position of an item having more than one magnetic members and more than one pieces of magnet attracting material in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A-6H illustrate front views of one embodiment of a pattern and a series of sewing or coupling steps for creating an apparatus to maintain an item in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts a front view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus for maintaining an item including a zippered pocket coupled to a first panel of a pouch;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus for maintaining a position of an item in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear view illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 8 in an open configuration;

FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 8 in a open configuration; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for using an apparatus according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the subject matter. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the concept may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects.

FIG. 1 depicts an apparatus 100 for maintaining an item. The apparatus 100, in certain embodiments, includes a pouch 102, a flap 104, a magnetic attracting material (not shown), and a magnetic member 106. In one embodiment, a further described below, the apparatus 100 may be coupled to a garment or article of clothing to provide a receptacle for holding items. This may be particularly useful wherein the garment or article of clothing does not contain a pocket. In other embodiments the apparatus 100 may be coupled to a purse, a bag, or other item carrying device to provide additional carrying capacity. In certain embodiments the apparatus 100 may be attached to the purse, bag or other item carrying device to provide an easy access pouch that is accessible on the exterior of the purse, bag or other item carrying device. One of skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus 100 may be coupled to any garment, bag, or other item to provide a user storage and easy access to items contained within the pouch 102.

The pouch 102, in certain embodiments, includes a first panel 108 coupled to a second panel 110 along a periphery 112 of the first panel 108 and the second panel 110. A portion of the periphery 112 of the first panel 108 and the second panel 110 is uncoupled to form an opening 114 in the pouch 102.

In one embodiment the periphery 112 of the first panel 108 may be sewn to the periphery 112 of the second panel 110. In other embodiments the periphery 112 of the first panel 108 may be coupled to the periphery 112 of the second panel 110 by a chemical adhesive or glue. In yet another embodiment, the first panel 108 and the second panel 110 may be made of a plastic material and the periphery 112 of the first panel 108 may be coupled to the periphery 112 of the second panel 110 by plastic welding techniques known in the art. Where the first panel 108 and the second panel 110 are made of a plastic material, the first panel 108 and the second panel 110 may be molded as a single integral unit having the periphery 112 of the first panel 108 coupled to the periphery 112 of the second panel 110.

In one embodiment the first panel 108 and the second panel 110 may be made of a single piece of cloth material, a leather material, a synthetic leather material, or another pliable material with the first panel 108 folded over the second panel 110. Thus, in certain embodiments the bottom end 120 of both the first panel 108 and the second panel 110 may be coupled by virtue of the first panel 108 being made from the same piece of material as the second panel 110. In such an embodiment the first panel 108 and second panel 110 may be coupled at a first edge 122 by stitching or chemical adhesives as is known in the art. The first panel 108 and the second panel 110 may also be coupled at a second edge 124 by stitching or chemical adhesives.

In certain embodiments the first panel 108 and the second panel 110 may be made of a single piece of plastic material with the first panel 108 folded over the second panel 110 such that the bottom end 120 of the first panel 108 and the second panel 110 are coupled by virtue of the first panel 108 and the second panel 110 being made from a common piece of material. In such an embodiment the first panel 108 and second panel 110 may be coupled at the first and second edge 122, 124 by plastic welding techniques or chemical adhesives as is known in the art.

While the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 depicts the pouch 102 as having a substantially rectangular shape, one of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the pouch 102 may have rounded corners 116. In other embodiments the pouch 102 may be circular, oval, triangular, or any other geometric shape as is known in the art.

In certain embodiments the flap 104 is coupled to the second panel 110 of the pouch 102. In one embodiment the flap 104 is coupled to a top end 118 of the second panel 110. In another embodiment the flap 104 may be coupled to the second panel 110 at a position lower than the top end 118 of the second panel. In certain embodiments the flap 104, the second panel 110, and the first panel 108 may all be formed from a single piece of material with the first panel 108 folded over the second panel 110 such that the top end 126 of the first panel 108 is aligned with the top end 118 of the second panel 110. The first edge 122 and the second edge 124 of the first and second panels 108, 110 may then be coupled to form the pouch 102.

In certain embodiments the flap 104 is positionable between an engagement position and a disengagement position. In the engagement position the flap 104 is positioned parallel to the second panel 110 with the second panel 110 disposed between the flap 104 and the first panel 108. A magnet attracting material (not shown) positioned on the second panel 110 and a magnetic member 106 cooperate to retain the flap 104 in the engagement position. In certain embodiments the magnetic member 106 has a magnetic field sufficient to attract the magnet attracting material to retain the flap 104 in the engagement position when one or more pieces of material are positioned between the second panel 110 and the flap 104.

In certain embodiments when the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material position the flap 104 in the engagement position with one or more pieces of material positioned between the second panel 110 and the flap 104, the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material may operate to support the pouch 102 on a garment, article of clothing, bag or other supporting material.

In one embodiment, when the flap 104 is positioned in the engagement position to support the pouch 102 on a garment, article of clothing, bag or other supporting material, the opening 114 is accessible for conveniently storing and retrieving items. For example, in certain embodiments the apparatus 100 may be used on an article of clothing that does not contain a pocket for holding items such as a typical pair of running shorts. In other embodiments the apparatus 100 may be used with articles of clothing that already contain a pocket or other storage area to increase the storage available to a user. The same is true of a bag or other storage receptacle. That is, in certain embodiments the apparatus 100 may be used with bags or other storage receptacles to increase the storage capabilities of such storage devices.

The apparatus 100 in one embodiment may be coupled to the garment by inserting the flap 104 into the waist band of the garment and allowing the pouch 102 to rest on the exterior surface of the garment. With the pouch 102 positioned on the exterior surface of the garment, the apparatus 100 provides an easily accessible storage compartment. In certain embodiments, the pouch 102 may be positioned such that the material that makes up the garment is positioned between the flap 104 and the second panel 110 with the first panel 108 facing away from the user. In this position, the opening 114 of the pouch 102 is also directed away from the user, allowing the user easy access to the opening 114 and the pouch 102.

One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the pouch 102 may be positioned on the inside of a user's garment with the opening 114 directed towards a user's body. This may be useful, for instance, where a user wishes to keep valuable items secure within the pouch 102 and limit the threat of being pick pocketed or otherwise accessing the pouch 102 without authorization.

In another embodiment, a portion of the flap 104 forms a loop between the flap 104 and the second panel 110 when the flap 104 is positioned in the engagement position. The loop, in one embodiment, supports the pouch 102 with one or more pieces of material positioned between the second panel 110 and the flap 104. In certain embodiments the loop may be positioned around a belt or other strap and the magnetic member 106 may be coupled to the magnet attracting material without a piece of material in between the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material. In such an embodiment the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material may operate to close the loop to retain the belt or other strap within the loop.

The flap 104, in one embodiment, may extend about two and one half of an inch from the top end 118 of the second panel 110. In other embodiments the flap 104 may extend more than about one half of an inch from the top end 118 of the second panel 110. In such an embodiment the added length of the flap 104 may provide additional support to the pouch 102 by increasing the amount of material to increase friction between the flap 104 and one or more pieces of material positioned between the flap 104 and the second panel 110.

In certain embodiments at least one of the second panel 110 and the flap 104 may be made of a slip resistant material that prevents movement of one or more pieces of material positioned between the second panel 110 and the flap 104. In another embodiment one or both of the second panel 110 and the flap 104 may be coated with or attached to a slip resistant material to prevent movement of material positioned between the second panel 110 and the flap 104.

In one embodiment the top end 118 of the second panel 110 may be located at a position about five inches away from the bottom end 120 of the first and second panels 108, 110. In such an embodiment the top end 126 of the first panel 108 may also be located about five inches away from the bottom end 120 of the first and second panels 108, 110. The first edge 122 of the first and second panels 108, 110 may be located about four inches away from the second edge 124 of the first and second panels 108, 110. Thus, in certain embodiments the pouch 102 may be about five inches tall and about four inches wide. In other embodiments the pouch may be larger or smaller than about five inches tall and about four inches wide or may be customized for larger or smaller items.

The magnet attracting material (not shown), in certain embodiments, may be a material such as a ferromagnetic material, a ferrimagnetic material, and a paramagnetic material. One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the material magnet attracting material may contain a magnetic field that attracts the magnetic member 106. Thus, in certain embodiments, both the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting member may have a magnetic field that attracts one another.

The magnetic member 106 may be made of a magnetic material such as a ferromagnetic material, a ferrimagnetic material, and a paramagnetic material. In one embodiment both the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material are made of a ferromagnetic material that have magnetic fields sufficient to support the pouch 102 when one or more pieces of material are positioned between the second panel 110 and the flap 104. One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the material that makes up the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member 106 may be selected to balance costs with maximizing the magnetic coupling between the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member 106.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the magnetic member 106 is positioned on the flap 104 and the magnet attracting material (not shown) is positioned on the second panel 110. One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the position of the magnetic member 106 and the position of the magnet attracting material may be reversed. That is, in certain embodiments the magnetic member 106 may be positioned on the second panel 110 and the magnet attracting material (not shown) may be positioned on the flap 104. In another embodiment one of the magnet attracting material or the magnetic member 106 may be positioned on the first panel 108. In such an embodiment the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member 106 may operate to support the pouch 102 on a garment or other support material as well to close the pouch 102 when the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member 106 are coupled.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the apparatus 100 for maintaining an item of FIG. 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the pouch 102 is made up of the second panel 110 positioned opposite the first panel 108 which cannot be seen in FIG. 2. As discussed above, a portion of the periphery 112 of the first and second panel 108, 110 are coupled to form the pouch 102.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the flap 104 is shown in the disengaged position. As discussed above, the flap 104 is positionable between the disengagement position and an engagement position. In certain embodiments the flap 104 is positioned in the same plane as the second panel 110 in the disengagement position. In other embodiments the flap 104 may be positioned beyond the plane of the second panel 110 in the disengagement position. That is, in certain embodiments the flap 104 may be positioned beyond the plane of the second panel 110 in a direction opposite arrows 202 in the disengagement position. In other embodiments the disengagement position may be any position in which the flap 104 is not positioned parallel to the second panel 110 with the second panel 110 positioned between the flap 104 and the first panel 108.

In certain embodiments to position the flap 104 in the engagement position the flap 104 is folded or moved in the direction of arrows 202 until the flap 104 is positioned parallel to the second panel 110 with the second panel 110 being between the flap 104 and the first panel 108. When the flap 104 is positioned in the engagement position the magnetic member 106 is aligned with the magnet attracting material 204.

In one embodiment the flap 104 and/or the second panel 110 may be made of a substantially rigid material that holds the form of the flap 104 and/or the second panel. In such an embodiment, a hinging member 206 may couple the flap 104 to the second panel 110. The hinging member 206 may operate to allow the flap 104 to be alternately positioned between the disengagement position and the engagement position. The hinging member 206, in certain embodiments, may be a piano hinge. In other embodiments the hinging member 206 may include more than one hinge position between first edge 122 and the second edge 124 to hingedly couple the flap 104 to the second panel 110. In another embodiment the hinging member 206 may be a pliable material that couples a substantially rigid flap 104 to a substantially rigid second panel 110. In such an embodiment the pliable material of the hinging member 206 may operate to allow the flap 104 to be positioned between an engagement position and a disengagement position.

The attractive forces of the magnetic field produced by the magnetic member 106 magnetically couple the magnetic member 106 to the magnet attracting material 204 to maintain the flap 104 in the engagement position. In certain embodiments the magnetic field produced by the magnetic member 106 is great enough to magnetically couple the magnetic member 106 with the magnet attracting material 204 even when one or more pieces of material such as cloth, leather, plastic, or other material is positioned between the flap 104 and the second panel 110.

As discussed above, in certain embodiments, such as the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the magnetic member 106 is positioned on the flap 104 and the magnet attracting material 204 is positioned on the second panel 110. In other embodiments the positions of the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material 204 may be reversed such that the magnetic member 106 is positioned on the second panel 110 and the magnet attracting material 204 is positioned on the flap 104. In another embodiment the magnet attracting material 204 is a magnetic member having a magnetic field that attracts the magnetic member 106.

In certain embodiments the magnet attracting material 204 and/or the magnetic member 106 have a length sufficient to span a portion of a distance between the first edge 122 of the pouch 102 and a second edge 124 of the pouch 102. In one embodiment the magnet attracting material 204 and/or the magnetic member 106 are about two inches long and positioned substantially in the center of the distance between the first edge 122 and the second edge 124 of the pouch 102. The length of the magnet attracting material 204 and/or the magnetic member 106 may be selected such that the distance spanned by the magnet attracting material 204 and/or the magnetic member 106 is sufficient to provide structural support to the pouch 102 and/or the flap 104 to maintain the pouch 102 in a substantially planar orientation.

In one embodiment the magnet attracting material 204 may be coupled to the second panel 110 by a chemical adhesive such as glue. Similarly, in certain embodiments the magnetic member 106 may be attached to the flap 104 by a chemical adhesive. One of skill in the art will recognize that the magnet attracting material 204 may be coupled to a front surface (element 128 of FIG. 1) of the second panel 110 or a rear surface (element 208 of FIG. 2) of the second panel 110. Likewise, in certain embodiments the magnetic member 106 may be coupled to a front surface (element 130 of FIG. 1) or a rear surface (element 210 of FIG. 2) of the flap 104.

In other embodiments the magnet attracting material 204 may be coupled to the second panel 110 by being received in a sleeve 212 formed on the second panel 110. The magnetic member 106 may be coupled to the flap 104 by being received in a sleeve 214 formed on the flap 104. In certain embodiments the sleeves 212 and 214 may be formed on the second panel 110 and the flap 104 by stitching or gluing additional material to the second panel 110 and the flap 104. In other embodiments, such as embodiments where the second panel 110 and/or the flap 104 are made of a plastic material, the sleeves 212, 214 may be made of a plastic material coupled to the second panel 110 and/or the flap 104 by a chemical adhesive or by plastic welding techniques known in the art.

In one embodiment, as further discussed below, the flap 104, sleeve 214, second panel 110, and sleeve 212 may all be made of a single piece of material strategically folded and stitched to form the flap 104, sleeve 214, second panel 110, and sleeve 212. In other embodiments the flap 104, sleeve 214, second panel 110, and sleeve 212 all be made of a single piece of material strategically folded and glued, stitched or plastic welded to form the flap 104, sleeve 214, second panel 110, and sleeve 212.

In one embodiment once the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material 204 have been received within sleeves 214 and 212 respectively the sleeves may be sealed along seals 216 to retain the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material 204 within sleeves 214 and 212 respectively. One of skill in the art will recognize that the seals 216 may be glued, stitched or plastic welded to retain the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material 204 within sleeves 214 and 212 respectively.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the apparatus 100 for maintaining an item. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 shows the flap 104 positioned in the engagement position. In certain embodiments, when the flap 104 is positioned in the engagement position, the flap 104 is positioned parallel to the second panel 110 with the second panel 110 being between the flap 104 and the first panel 108.

In certain embodiments one or more articles of clothing or other material may be positioned in a gap 302 between the flap 104 and the second panel 110. In one embodiment the magnetic member 106 has a magnetic field sufficient to attract the magnetic attracting material 204 to retain the flap 104 in the engagement position when one or more articles of clothing or other material are positioned in the gap 302 between the second panel 110 and the flap 104. One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the gap 302 may be omitted and the flap 104 or the magnetic member 106 may be in contact with the one or more articles of clothing or other material positioned between the flap 104 and the second panel 110. Similarly, in embodiments where there is no gap 302, the second panel 110 or the magnet attracting material 204 may be in contact with the one or more articles of clothing or other material positioned between the flap 104 and the second panel 110.

In one embodiment a portion 304 of the flap 104 forms a loop 306 between the flap 104 and the second panel 110 when the flap 104 is positioned in the engagement position. In certain embodiments the loop 104 may add additional support to the pouch 102 when one or more pieces of material are positioned between second panel 110 and the flap 104. For example, in certain embodiments the flap 104 may be positioned over a top edge of a garment or other supporting material. The loop 306 may rest on the top edge of the garment or other supporting material to support the pouch 102. In certain embodiments the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material 204 operate to keep the flap 104 positioned in the engagement position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus 400 for maintaining a position of an item. The apparatus 400 includes a pouch 402, a flap 104, a magnet attracting material 204, and a magnetic member 106. In certain embodiments the flap 104, the magnet attracting material 204, and the magnetic member 106 may be substantially similar to the flap 104, the magnet attracting material 204, and the magnetic member 106 discussed above in relation to FIGS. 1-3.

As discussed above, the shape of the pouch 402 may be any geometric shape as is known in the art. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 the pouch 402 is shaped as a semi-oval. In certain embodiments the pouch 402 includes a first panel 408 and a second panel 410. The first and second panels 408, 410 may be coupled to one another along a periphery 412 of the first and second panels 408, 410. At least a portion of the periphery 412 of the first and second panels 408, 410 is uncoupled to form an opening 414 in the pouch 402.

In certain embodiments the flap 104 is coupled to the second panel 410 and extends between a first edge 422 and a second edge 424 of the pouch 402 at the opening 414 of the pouch 402. In other embodiments the flap 104 may be coupled to the second panel 410 along less than the whole distance between the first edge 422 and the second edge 424 of the pouch 402.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the flap 104 is shown in the disengagement position. To position the flap 104 in the engagement position, a user moves the flap 104 in the direction of arrow 430 to position the flap 104 parallel to the second panel 410. In the engagement position the second panel 410 is positioned between the flap 104 and the first panel 408 leaving the opening 414 accessible by a user.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of one embodiment of an apparatus 500 for maintaining an item. The apparatus 500 includes a pouch 102 and a flap 104 substantially similar to the pouch 102 and flap 104 discussed above in relation to FIGS. 1-3. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the pouch 102 is made up of the second panel 110 positioned opposite the first panel 108 which cannot be seen in FIG. 5. As discussed above, a portion of the periphery 112 of the first and second panel 108, 110 are coupled to form the pouch 102.

The apparatus 500 also includes at least two pieces of magnet attracting material 504 and at least two magnetic members 506. In certain embodiments the two pieces of magnet attracting material 504 are positioned on the flap 104 and the two magnetic members 506 are positioned on the second panel 110. In other embodiments the two magnetic members 506 may be positioned on the flap 104 and the two pieces of magnet attracting material 504 may be positioned on the second panel 110. In one embodiment the two pieces of magnet attracting material 504 may also have a magnetic field such that the two pieces of magnet attracting material 504 are also magnetic members.

While the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 depicts the pieces of magnet attracting material 504 and the magnetic members 506 as being circular, one of skill in the art will recognize that in other embodiments the pieces of magnet attracting material 504 and the magnetic members 506 may be any geometric shape. Similarly, while the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 depicts two pieces of magnet attracting material 504 and two magnetic members 506, one of skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus may include more than two pieces of magnet attracting material 504 and more than two magnetic members 506.

In certain embodiments a support member 510 may be positioned between the magnetic members 506 to support the magnetic members 506. In another embodiment the support member 510 may be adjacent to the magnetic members 506 and coupled to the second panel 110 or to the magnetic members 506 themselves to maintain the distance between the magnetic members 506 and avoid having the second panel 110 fold in on itself in response to the magnetic members 506 attracting one another.

In one embodiment the support member 510 has a length sufficient to span a portion 512 of a distance between a first edge 122 and a second edge 124 of the pouch 102. In certain embodiments the distance spanned by the support member 510 is sufficient to provide structural support the pouch 102 to maintain the pouch 102 in a substantially planar orientation. In certain embodiments the length of the support member 510 may be sufficient to keep the magnetic members 506 positioned near the first and second edges 122, 124 of the pouch 102.

In embodiments where the magnetic members 506 and the support member 510 are positioned on the flap 104 and the pieces of magnet attracting material 504 are positioned on the second panel 110, the support member may provide structural support the pouch 102 when the flap 104 is positioned in the engagement position by virtue of the magnetic members 506 magnetically coupling with the pieces of the magnet attracting material 504.

Similarly, in certain embodiments a support member 514 may be positioned on the flap 104 to support the at least two pieces of magnet attracting material 504. The support member 514 may also have a length sufficient to span a portion 516 of a distance between a first edge 122 of the pouch 102 and a second edge 124 of the pouch 102. The distance spanned by the support member 514, in certain embodiments, may be sufficient to provide structural support to the flap 104 to maintain the pouch 102 in a substantially planar orientation when the flap 104 is positioned in the engagement position by virtue of the magnetic members 506 magnetically coupling with the pieces of the magnet attracting material 504. In embodiments where the support member 514 is positioned on the second panel 110, the support member 514 may directly support the pouch 102 in a substantially planar orientation.

FIGS. 6A-6H illustrate a pattern and a series of sewing or coupling steps of a method for creating an apparatus to maintain an item according to one embodiment. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.

FIG. 6A illustrates one embodiment of a pattern for forming an apparatus 600 to maintain a position of an item. In certain embodiments the apparatus 600 may be formed from a cloth material, a leather material, a faux leather material, a plastic material, or any other pliable material 602 as is known in the art. In one embodiment a user may create a pattern on the material marking folding lines 604 a-604 d and stitching or coupling lines 606 a-606 d. The folding lines 604 a-604 d and stitching or coupling lines 606 a-606 d may be marked by a pen, pencil, marker, or any other marking device known in the art. In certain embodiments, the user may simply fold and stitch or couple the material 602 according to the directions described herein without actually marking the pattern. Thus, in certain embodiments the folding lines 604 a-604 d and stitching or coupling lines 606 a-606 d illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6H may not be physically marked on the pattern.

In one embodiment the material 602 is folded at line 604 a in the direction of arrows 608. In certain embodiments line 604 a is positioned about one inch from a first end 610 of the material 602. In one embodiment the material 602 may be ironed once the material 602 has been folded at line 604 a to keep the material 602 in the folded arrangement.

In certain embodiments the material 602 may be folded at line 604 b in the direction of arrows 612 to align stitching or coupling lines 606 a and 606 b with one another. The material 602 may then be stitched or otherwise coupled along the aligned lines 606 a and 606 b to form a sleeve 616 (FIG. 6B) for receiving a magnetic member (not shown) or magnet attracting material (not shown). The material 602 may also be folded at line 604 c in the direction of arrows 614 to align stitching or coupling lines 606 c and 606 d with one another.

The material 602 may then be stitched or otherwise coupled along the aligned lines 606 c and 606 d to form a sleeve 618 (FIG. 6B) for receiving a magnetic member (not shown) or magnet attracting material (not shown). In certain embodiments the distance between stitching or coupling lines 606 a and 606 b and the folding line 604 b may be about five eighths of an inch. Similarly, in certain embodiments the distance between the stitching or coupling lines 606 c and 606 d and the folding line 604 c may also be about five eighths of an inch. In certain embodiments the sleeves 616 and 618 may also be stitched or otherwise coupled along the folding lines 604 b and 604 c such that the sleeves 616 and 618 are coupled to the material 602 at both sides of the sleeves 616 and 618. In other embodiments the size of the sleeves 616 and 618 may depend on the size of the magnetic member or the magnet attracting material received within the sleeves 616 and 618.

One of skill in the art will recognize that the order of folding and coupling just described may be reordered or reversed. For example, in certain embodiments the sleeve 618 may be formed before sleeve 616. In one embodiment the material 602 may be folded at line 604 a after the sleeves 616 and 618 have been formed.

In certain embodiments the distance between folding line 604 a and folding line 604 b may be about eight and one fourth of an inch, the distance between folding line 604 b and folding line 604 c may be about three and five eighths of an inch, and the distance between folding line 604 c and folding line 604 d may be about seven and one eighths of an inch. In one embodiment the distance between the first end 610 and folding line 604 and the distance between the second end 620 and folding line 604 d may both be about one inch. One of skill in the art will recognize that these dimensions are approximate measurements and that considerable variation in the dimensions may be made according to the desired size of the finished apparatus 600.

FIG. 6B illustrates one embodiment of the apparatus 600 once the sleeves 616 and 618 have been formed and the material 602 has been folded at line 604 a. In certain embodiments the sleeves 616 and 618 may be sewn or otherwise coupled along lines 622 a-622 d to keep the sleeves 616 and 618 aligned with the remainder of the apparatus 600. In other embodiments the sleeves 616 and 618 may only be coupled along only one of the lines 622 a or 622 b and 622 c or 622 d respectively with the other end of the sleeves 616 and 618 hanging in a plane below the remainder of the apparatus 600.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6B the folded portion 624 is illustrated as having a different surface than the remainder of the apparatus 600 to indicate that the folded portion 624 has been folded over the first surface 628 such that the opposite surface 626 is visible. One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments the opposite surface 626 and the first surface 628 may be two surfaces of the same piece of pliable material 602. As such, the surface of the opposite surface 626 may be substantially similar to the surface of the first surface 628.

In certain embodiments a portion 632 of the apparatus 600 may be folded under the material 602 of the first surface 628 at folding line 604 d in the direction of arrow 634. As discussed above, in certain embodiments the distance between the folding line 604 d and the second end 620 may be about one inch.

FIG. 6C illustrates one embodiment of the apparatus 600 after the portion 632 has been folded under the material 602 of the first surface 628 at line 604 d. Because the portion 632 is positioned behind the material 602 the portion 632 cannot be seen in FIG. 6C. In certain embodiments the material 602 may be ironed once the portion 632 has been folded at line 604 d.

In certain embodiments a magnetic member 106 may be positioned within sleeve 616 and a magnet attracting material 204 may be positioned within sleeve 618. In other embodiments the position of the magnetic member 106 and the position of the magnet attracting material 204 may be reversed such that the magnetic member 106 is positioned within sleeve 618 and the magnet attracting material 204 is positioned within sleeve 616.

As illustrated in FIG. 6D, once the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material 204 are positioned within sleeves 616 and 618, the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material 204 may be secured within the sleeves 616 and 618 by sewing or otherwise coupling the sleeves 616, 618 along lines 638.

FIGS. 6E and 6F illustrate further processing of the pattern for creating the apparatus 600. In one embodiment, folding line 604 a is folded at folding line 604 e up in the direction of arrows 640. In certain embodiments the distance between folding line 604 a and 604 e is about five inches. As illustrated in FIG. 6F, folding line 604 d is also folded up in the direction of arrows 642 until the folding line 604 d is aligned with folding line 604 e. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6F folding line 604 b is positioned behind the folded portion 646 and thus cannot be seen. As will be evident to one of skill in the art, once the folded portion 646 is folded over the first surface 628 the opposite surface 626 is visible.

FIG. 6G illustrates the apparatus 600 once the folding line 604 d is aligned with folding line 604 e. In this position the first edge 122 and the second edge 124 may be sewn or otherwise coupled at coupling lines 654 and 656 respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 6H, in certain embodiments, once the first edge 122 and the second edge 124 have been sewn or otherwise coupled at coupling lines 654 and 656 the apparatus 600 may then be turned inside out to reveal a pouch 102 and a flap 104. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6H when the flap 104 is positioned in the engagement position, the magnet attracting material 204 may magnetically couple to the magnetic member 106 (not shown in FIG. 6H) with one or more pieces of material positioned between the flap 104 and the pouch 102 to support the apparatus 600 on a garment, article of clothing, bag, or other supporting material.

FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of an apparatus 700 for maintaining an item. The apparatus 700, in certain embodiments, is substantially similar to the apparatus 100 described above with the addition of a zippered pocket 702 coupled to the first panel 108 of the pouch 102. Thus, in one embodiment, the apparatus 700 includes a pouch 102, a flap 104, a magnet attracting material 204, and a magnetic member 106.

In operation, the apparatus 700 may be coupled to an article of clothing, a purse, or other item carrying device in a manner substantially similar to the manner in which the apparatus 100 is coupled to an article of clothing, a purse, or other item carrying device as described above. Thus, in certain embodiments, the material that makes up the article of clothing, the purse, or the other item carrying device is positioned between the flap 104 and the rear surface (element 208 of FIG. 2) of the second panel 110. A portion 304 of the flap 104 forms a loop 306 between the flap 104 and the second panel 110 as discussed above in relation to FIG. 3 with the material that makes up the article of clothing, the purse, or the other item carrying device positioned within the loop 304. The loop 306 rests on a top edge of the material that makes up the article of clothing, the purse, or the other item carrying device to support the pouch 102. In certain embodiments the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material 204 operate to keep the flap 104 positioned in the engagement position.

In one embodiment, the zippered pocket 702 is coupled to the first edge 122 and the second edge 124 of the first panel 108 by stitching or chemical adhesives as is known in the art. The zippered pocket 702 is also coupled to the bottom end 120 of the first panel 108. The zippered pocket 702, in one embodiment, is made of a mesh material 710 allowing a user to easily identify the contents within the zippered pocket 702. In other embodiments, the zippered pocket 702 may be made of a substantially solid material that cannot be seen through. A zipper 704 is coupled to a top edge 706 of the zippered pocket 702 and to the first panel 108 of the pouch 102 to secure items within the zippered pocket 702.

In certain embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, a strip of opaque material 708 may be positioned between the mesh material 710 and one of the first edge 122 and the second edge 124 of the first panel 108 for aesthetic purposes. Thus, in one embodiment, the zippered pocket 702 may be coupled to only one edge (122 or 124) of the first panel 108 with the other side of the zippered pocket 702 coupled to the strip of opaque material 708. Of course, one of skill in the art will recognize that the strip of opaque material 708 may be coupled to the other edge (122 or 124) of the first panel 108 to contain items within the zippered pocket 702.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the magnetic member 106 and the magnet attracting material 204 are depicted as extending only part way across a width 712 of the apparatus 700. In such an embodiment, a substantially rigid material 714 that extends across the width of the apparatus 700 may be positioned within a sleeve 716 to maintain the pouch 102 in a substantially planar orientation when the apparatus 700 is positioned on a user or on an item carrying device.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 8-11, which illustrate another embodiment of an apparatus 800 for maintaining a position of an item. One or more aspects of apparatus 800 can be similar or identical to the other apparatuses described. Accordingly, some aspects of apparatus 800 may not be described in detail in connection with the description of FIGS. 8-11. Nevertheless, it is understood that features previously described herein are or may be incorporated in apparatus 800.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, apparatus 800 includes a pouch 802 that is formed by a first panel 804 and a second panel 806. First and second panels 804, 806 can be attached to one another (e.g., via sewing, adhesive, etc.) about at least a portion of the periphery of pouch 802. In the illustrated embodiment, first and second panels 804, 806 are attached to one another about three sides of pouch 802. On a fourth side of pouch 802, first and second panels 804, 806 are unattached from one another to create an opening 808. Opening 808 provides access to the interior of pouch 802 to allow for items to be inserted into or removed from the interior of pouch 802.

Pouch 802 can also include one or more access openings 810, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The one or more access openings 810 can be formed in first panel 804, second panel 806, or at an interface between first and second panels 804, 806. For instance, the access openings 810 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 are formed at interfaces between first and second panels 804, 806. To form the access openings 810 at an interface between first and second panels 804, 806, first and second panels 804, 806 can be left unattached from one another at the desired location for an access opening 810. Regardless of the placement of the access openings 810, the access openings 810 can be designed to provide specific functionality to the apparatus 800. For instance, the access openings 810 may allow for a power cable or a headphone cable to pass therethrough and be connected to a phone or other electronic component disposed within pouch 802.

Specific attention is directed to FIG. 9. As can be seen, a pocket 812 is disposed within the interior of pouch 802. In the illustrated embodiment, pocket 812 is formed on or in first panel 804 of pouch 802. In some embodiments, pocket 812 or an additional pocket may be formed on or within second panel 806 of pouch 802. In the illustrated embodiment, pocket 812 includes a closure mechanism 814 that can be used to selectively close an opening to pocket 812. Although closure mechanism 814 is illustrated as a zipper, other closure mechanisms may be used, such as buttons, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, etc.

Returning attention to both FIGS. 8 and 9, a can be seen that apparatus 800 also includes a flap 820. Flap 820 can be integrally formed with or attached to pouch 802. In the illustrated embodiment, flap 820 is integrally formed with first panel 804. As can be seen in the figures, flap 820 folds relative to pouch 802 such that flap 820 is positioned against first panel 804. As will be discussed in greater detail below, this positioning of flap 820 enables apparatus 800 to be securely attached to a user's clothes, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pocket 822 is formed on or in flap 820. Pocket 822 includes a closure mechanism 824 that can be used to selectively close an opening to pocket 822. Although closure mechanism 824 is illustrated as a zipper, other closure mechanisms may be used, such as buttons, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, etc. While the opening to pocket 822 and the associated closure mechanism 824 are illustrated on an exterior of flap 820, it will be understood that an opening to pocket 822 and the associated closure mechanism 824 may be formed on an interior surface of flap 820 (see FIG. 11). Likewise, flap 820 may include pockets on both interior and exterior surfaces.

With continued attention to FIGS. 8 and 9, attention is now also directed to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate apparatus 800 with flap 820 in an engagement position and FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate apparatus 800 with flap 820 in the disengagement position. When flap 820 is in the engagement position, the apparatus 800 can be secured to a user's clothes or other items. In contrast, when flap 820 is in the disengagement position, apparatus 800 can be removed from the user's clothes or positioned for securement to the user's close or other items.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 11, a tab 826 may be attached to or extend from flap 820. Tab 826 may be used to move flap 820 between the engagement position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and the disengagement position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, apparatus 800 includes a magnetic member 828 attached to or embedded within first panel 804. A corresponding magnetic member 830 is attached to or embedded within a rear surface of flap 820. Magnetic members 828, 830 can be positioned on or within first panel 804 and flap 820 respectively such that they are positioned adjacent to and interface with one another when flap 820 is moved to the engagement position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. For instance, when flap 820 is moved to the engagement position, the magnetic field between magnetic members 828, 830 will cause the magnetic members 828, 830 to attract one another. As described elsewhere herein, the attraction between the magnetic members can secure apparatus 800 to a user's clothes or other items.

For ease of reference, the term “magnetic member” is used generally to refer to magnets and magnet attracting materials. In some embodiments, two magnets may be used, while in other embodiments one magnet and one magnet attracting material may be used. In either case, both members may be referred to as magnetic members.

Apparatus 800 may also include a stiffening member 832 tell maintain the shape of apparatus 800 and prevent sagging thereof. In the illustrated embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, stiffening member 832 is secured to or disposed within first panel 804 of pouch 802 adjacent to flap 820. This placement of stiffening member 832 can facilitate proper positioning of pouch 802 inside a user's waistband. For instance, a user may position pouch 802 inside their waistband until stiffening member 832 is aligned with the top of the waistband. Positioning pouch 802 so stiffening member 832 is aligned with the top of the waistband can ensure that flap 820 folds at the proper location and that magnetic members 828, 830 will be aligned with one another. In some embodiments, a stiffening member 832 may also or alternatively be attached to or disposed within second panel 806 adjacent to the pocket opening 808.

In some embodiments, stiffening member 832 is configured to bend or flax more easily in one direction than in a second direction. For instance, stiffening member 832 may be configured to bend or flex to allow for opening 808 in pouch 802 to opened or closed relatively easily. In contrast, stiffening member 832 may exhibit more stiffness (e.g., less ability to flex or bend) in a direction between the top and bottom of apparatus 802, which can limit or prevent apparatus 800 from sagging either on the ends or in the middle thereof.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 12, which illustrates an example method 900 for using an apparatus as described herein. In describing the method 900, reference will be made to apparatus 800. It will be appreciated, however, that the method may be performed with the other apparatuses described herein.

Method 900 may include a step 902 of moving a flap to a disengagement position. For instance, with reference to apparatus 800, a user may move flap 820 from the engagement position shown in FIG. 8 to the disengagement position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This can be done by pulling on tab 826 or flap 820 to disengage magnetic members 828, 830 from one another and unfolding flap 820 relative to first panel 804.

Once the flap is in the disengagement position, a pouch can be positioned inside the user's waistband (step 904). For instance, pouch 802 can be positioned inside and user's waistband so that pouch 802 is positioned between the user and the user's waistband. Thereafter, the apparatus can be secured to the user's waistband (step 906). For instance, flap 820 can be folded to the engagement position (e.g., folded relative to pouch 802 and onto the outside of user's waistband). When flap 820 is folded to the engagement position, the magnetic force between magnetic members 828, 830 will secure apparatus 800 to the user's waistband.

While the apparatus is secured to the user's waistband, a user may access the interior of the pouch and/or the pockets (step 908). For instance, a user may insert items into or remove items from the interior of pouch 802 through opening 808. Similarly, a user may insert items into or remove items from pockets 812, 822 through their respective openings. Because of the manner in which apparatus 800 is secured to the user's waistband and the location of the openings to the pouch and pockets, a user can easily access the interior the pouch or the pockets while the apparatus is attached to the user's waistband.

The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the subject matter is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to maintain a position of an item comprising: a pouch comprising a first panel coupled to a second panel along a periphery of the first panel and the second panel, at least a portion of the periphery of the first panel and the second panel being uncoupled to form an opening in the pouch, and the first panel having at least one magnetic member coupled thereto; a flap coupled to or integrally formed with the first panel of the pouch at a top of the pouch, the flap being positionable between an engagement position and a disengagement position, the flap being positioned parallel to the second panel with the first panel disposed between the flap and the second panel when the flap is positioned in the engagement position, the opening in the pouch remaining uncovered by the flap when the flap is in the engagement position such that the opening in the pouch is accessible when the flap is in the engagement position, the flap having at least one magnetic member coupled thereto, the magnetic member associated with the flap being positioned parallel to the magnetic member associated with the pouch when the flap is positioned in the engagement position, at least one of the magnetic members having a magnetic field sufficient to attract the other magnetic member to retain the flap in the engagement position when one or more pieces of material are positioned between the magnetic members; a pocket formed on or in at least one of the first panel or the second panel, the pocket having an opening disposed within an interior of the pouch, the pocket comprising a closure mechanism for selectively opening and closing the opening of the pocket, the pocket being accessible when the flap is in the engagement position; and a pocket formed on or in the flap, the pocket having an opening disposed on an exterior of the flap, the pocket comprising a closure mechanism for selectively opening and closing the opening of the pocket, the pocket being accessible when the flap is in the engagement position, wherein, when the flap is in the engagement position, a loop is formed between the flap and the first panel such that the magnetic field from at least one of the magnetic members has a strength sufficient to exclusively support the apparatus in a first direction when the one or more pieces of material are positioned within the loop between the magnet attracting material and the magnetic member.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises one or more access opening.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the magnetic members comprises a material selected from a ferromagnetic material, a ferrimagnetic material, and a paramagnetic material.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the formed loop further includes a slip resistant material disposed on a first surface interior to the formed loop such that when the flap is in the engagement position with the one or more pieces of material positioned between the flap and the first panel, the attractive force of the magnetic members causes the slip resistant material to contact the one or more pieces of material causing the slip resistant material to reduce movement of the pouch in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the slip resistant material comprises an additional material that is different than the material that comprises the flap and that is mechanically fastened to the first surface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the magnetic members has a length sufficient to span a portion of a distance between a first edge of the pouch and a second edge of the pouch, wherein the distance spanned by the at least one of the magnetic members is sufficient to provide structural support to at least one of the pouch and the flap to maintain the pouch in a substantially planar orientation.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first panel or the flap has at least two magnetic members coupled thereto.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a support member positioned between each of the at least two magnetic members to separate the at least two magnetic members, each support member having a length sufficient to span a distance between each magnetic member, wherein each support member is shaped to provide structural support to maintain the distance between each magnetic member and to maintain at least one of the pouch or the flap coupled to the at least two magnetic members in a substantially planar orientation.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic member of at least one of the first panel or the flap comprises at least two pieces of magnet attracting material at.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a support member positioned between each of the at least two pieces of magnet attracting material to separate the at least two pieces of magnet attracting material, each support member having a length sufficient to span a distance between each piece of magnet attracting material, wherein each support member is shaped to provide structural support to maintain the distance between each piece of magnet attracting material and to maintain at least one of the pouch or the flap coupled to the at least two pieces of magnet attracting material in a substantially planar orientation.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stiffening member attached to the at least one of the first panel or the second panel, the stiffening member being configured to bend or flex in a first direction and remain substantially stiff in a second direction, wherein the stiffening member is configured to bend or flex to allow for the opening in the pouch to opened or closed, and wherein the stiffening member is configured to limit sagging of the apparatus in the second direction.
 12. An apparatus to maintain a position of an item comprising: a pouch comprising a first panel coupled to a second panel along a periphery of the first panel and the second panel, at least a portion of the periphery of the first panel and the second panel is uncoupled to form an opening in the pouch; a flap coupled to or integrally formed with the first panel of the pouch, the flap being movable between an engagement position and a disengagement position, the opening in the pouch remaining uncovered by the flap when the flap is in the engagement position such that the opening in the pouch is accessible when the flap is in the engagement position; a pair of magnetic members, one of the magnetic members being coupled to the first panel of the pouch and the other magnetic member being coupled to the flap, the magnetic members being associated with the first panel and the flap such that a magnetic force therebetween is sufficient to selectively maintain the flap in the engagement position; a pocket formed on or in at least one of the first panel or the second panel, the pocket having an opening disposed within an interior of the pouch, the pocket comprising a closure mechanism for selectively opening and closing the opening of the pocket, the pocket being accessible when the flap is in the engagement position; and a pocket formed on or in the flap, the pocket having an opening disposed on an exterior of the flap, the pocket comprising a closure mechanism for selectively opening and closing the opening of the pocket, the pocket being accessible when the flap is in the engagement position.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pouch comprises one or more access opening.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a stiffening member attached to the at least one of the first panel or the second panel, the stiffening member being configured to bend or flex in a first direction and remain substantially stiff in a second direction, wherein the stiffening member is configured to bend or flex to allow for the opening in the pouch to opened or closed, and wherein the stiffening member is configured to limit sagging of the apparatus in the second direction.
 15. A method for maintaining the position of an item, the method comprising: providing an apparatus having a pouch and a flap; moving the flap to a disengagement position; positioning the pouch inside a user's waistband such that the pouch is positioned between the user and the user's waistband; securing the apparatus to the user's waistband; and accessing an interior of the pouch or a pocket disposed within the pouch or in the flap while the apparatus is secured to the user's waistband.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the flap to the disengagement position comprises disengaging a magnetic member associated with the flap from a magnetic member associated with the pouch and unfolding the flap relative to pouch.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the apparatus to the user's waistband comprises moving the flap to an engagement position.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein moving the flap to the engagement position comprises folding the flap relative to pouch and onto an outside of user's waistband.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein moving the flap to the engagement position comprises positioning the magnetic members adjacent to one another such that a magnetic force between the magnetic members secures the apparatus to the user's waistband.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein positioning the pouch inside a user's waistband comprised aligning a stiffening member in the pouch with a top edge of the user's waistband. 